Exhibit 1_R1 CSE_IM Field Guide.pdf

x = ∑x n

Report 19-7 v6.3

April 11, 2019

Region 1 Common Stand Exam and Inventory and Monitoring Field Guide

R1 Field Guide – Common Stand Exam Table of Contents i

Contents

SECTION 1: DATA COLLECTION PROCEDURES

1.1 REGION 1 REQUIRED FIELDS

1.2 EXAM LEVELS FOR THE TREE FORM

1.2.1 Intensive Tree Exam

1.2.2 Extensive Tree Exam

1.2.3 Quick Plot Tree Exam

1.3 APPENDICES

SECTION 2: SETTING FORM - INTENSIVE / EXTENSIVE EXAM LEVELS

2.1 PROJECT NAME (25-CHARACTER) REQUIRED

2.2 PROCLAIMED REGION (2-DIGIT) REQUIRED

2.3 PROCLAIMED NATIONAL FOREST (2-DIGIT) REQUIRED

2.4 DISTRICT (2-DIGIT) REQUIRED

2.5 LOCATION (16-CHARACTER) REQUIRED

2.6 STAND NUMBER (4-DIGIT) REQUIRED

2.7 OWNER (4-CHARACTER)

2.8 STATE (2-CHARACTER)

2.9 COUNTY (3-DIGIT)

2.10 ADMINISTRATIVE FOREST (2-DIGIT)

2.11 DATE (8-DIGIT) REQUIRED

2.13 EXAMINATION LEVEL (4-DIGIT) REQUIRED

2.13.1 Tree Data Examination Level

2.13.2 Vegetation Composition Examination Level

2.13.3 Down Woody Material Examination Level

2.13.3 Ground Surface Cover Examination Level

2.14 EXAM PURPOSE (2-CHARACTER) REQUIRED

2.14.1 Exam Purpose Guidelines:

2.15 STRATUM (6-CHARACTER)

2.16 EXISTING VEGETATION REFERENCE (3-CHARACTER) GENERALLY NOT USED IN R1

2.17 EXISTING VEGETATION COMPOSITION TYPE (3-CHARACTER) GENERALLY NOT USED IN R1

2.18 POTENTIAL VEGETATION REFERENCE (3-CHARACTER) REQUIRED

2.19 POTENTIAL VEGETATION (8-DIGIT) REQUIRED

2.20 STRUCTURE (2-CHARACTER)

2.21 SETTING CAPABLE GROWING AREA (3-DIGIT) REQUIRED

2.22 SETTING FUEL MODEL (2-DIGIT)

2.23 SETTING ELEVATION (5-DIGIT) REQUIRED

2.24 SETTING ASPECT (3-DIGIT) REQUIRED

2.25 SETTING SLOPE (3-DIGIT) REQUIRED

2.26 SETTING SLOPE POSITION (2-CHARACTER)

2.27 ACRES (4-DIGIT) REQUIRED

2.28 EXAMINER (15-CHARACTER) REQUIRED

2.29 PRECISION PROTOCOL (6-CHARACTER) REQUIRED

2.30 RADIAL GROWTH INTERVAL (2-DIGIT)

2.32 HEIGHT GROWTH INTERVAL (2-DIGIT)

2.33 FUEL PHOTO REFERENCE (3-DIGIT)

2.34 SETTING USER CODE (4-CHARACTER)

2.35 SETTING LAT LONG REFERENCE DATUM REQUIRED

2.36 MAGNETIC DECLINATION (IM) REQUIRED FOR IM:

2.37 MEASUREMENT NUMBER (IM) REQUIRED FOR INVENTORY AND MONITORING

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2.38 SETTING REMARKS (242-CHARACTER)

2.39 SETTING DAMAGE CATEGORY (2-DIGIT)

2.40 SETTING DAMAGE AGENT (3-DIGIT)

2.41 SETTING DAMAGE SEVERITY (2-CHARACTER)

2.42 SPECIES OF MANAGEMENT INTEREST (8-CHARACTER)

2.43-2.44 FIRE INFORMATION/OBSERVATIONS (IM)

SECTION 3: SAMPLE DESIGN FORM - ALL EXAM LEVELS

3.1 FORM TYPE (10-CHARACTER)

3.2 SAMPLE SELECTION METHOD TYPE (3-CHARACTER) REQUIRED

3.2.1 Plot Size

3.2.2 Fixed Area Plot Shape (FRQ)

3.3 SAMPLE EXPANSION FACTOR (6,1- DIGIT) REQUIRED

3.4 STARTING AZIMUTH (3-DIGIT)

3.5 SUBPOPULATION FILTER (8-CHARACTER) REQUIRED

3.6 SAMPLE DESIGN REMARKS (242-CHARACTER)

3.7 SELECTION CRITERIA NUMBER OR CRITERIA CONDITION (2-DIGIT) REQUIRED

3.8 SUBPOPULATION VARIABLE (3-CHARACTER) REQUIRED

3.9 SUBPOPULATION MINIMUM VALUE (4,1- DIGIT) REQUIRED

3.10 SUBPOPULATION MAXIMUM VALUE (4,1- DIGIT) REQUIRED

3.11 SAMPLE DESIGN REMARKS (25-CHARACTER)

SECTION 4: PLOT DATA FORM – ALL EXAM LEVELS

4.1 PLOT NUMBER (3-DIGIT) REQUIRED

4.1.1 Locating Plot Center (GPS Method)

4.2 ACQUIRING GPS LOCATIONS

4.2.1 Plot Latitude (8-digit)

4.2.2 Plot Longitude (9-digit)

4.3 PLOT CAPABLE GROWING AREA (3-DIGIT)

4.4 PLOT ASPECT (3-DIGIT) REQUIRED

4.5 PLOT SLOPE (3-DIGIT) REQUIRED

4.6 PLOT SLOPE POSITION (2-CHARACTER)

4.7 SLOPE HORIZONTAL SHAPE (2-CHARACTER)

4.8 SLOPE VERTICAL SHAPE (2-CHARACTER)

4.9 PLOT ELEVATION (5-DIGIT)

4.10 PLOT EXISTING VEGETATION COMPOSITION TYPE (8-CHARACTER)

4.11 PLOT POTENTIAL VEGETATION (8-CHARACTER) REQUIRED

4.12 PLOT FUEL MODEL (2-DIGIT)

4.13 RESIDUAL DESCRIPTIVE CODE (FUEL PHOTO SERIES) (15-CHARACTER)

4.14 DISTANCE TO SEED WALL (3-DIGIT)

4.15 PLOT USER CODE (4-CHARACTER)

4.16 PLOT HISTORY (4-DIGIT)

4.17 PLOT HISTORY DATE (4-DIGIT)

4.18 PLOT NARRATIVE/ REMARKS (242-CHARACTER)

4.19 PLOT PHOTOS

4.20 WITNESS TREE/NAVIGATION INFORMATION (IM)

4.20.1 X/Y MONUMENT TYPE (IM) (1-CHARACTER)

4.20.2 X/Y WITNESS TYPE (IM) (2-CHARACTER)

4.20.3 X/Y TAG ID (IM) (4-NUMBER)

4.20.4 X/Y SPECIES (IM) (4-CHARACTER)

4.20.5 X/Y DBH/DRC (IM) (3-CHARACTER)

4.20.6 X/Y DIAMETER (IM) (4-NUMBER)

4.20.7 X/Y AZIMUTH (IM) (3-NUMBER)

4.20.8 X/Y DISTANCE (IM) (4-NUMBER)

4.20.9 X/Y REMARKS (IM) (30-CHARACTER)

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4.20.10 TRAVEL DESCRIPTION TO THIS PLOT CENTER (IM) (30-CHARACTER)

4.21 NAVIGATION INFORMATION (FROM LAST PLOT) OPTION (IM) (8-CHARACTER)

4.21.1 PLOT NAVIGATED FROM (IM) (4-NUMBER)

4.21.1 AZIMUTH FROM NAVIGATION PLOT (IM) (3-NUMBER)

4.21.2 DISTANCE FROM NAVIGATION PLOT (IM) (4-NUMBER)

SECTION 5: TREE DATA FORM – INTENSIVE EXAM LEVEL

5.1 PLOT NUMBER (3-DIGIT) REQUIRED

5.2 TAG ID NUMBER (4-DIGIT) REQUIRED

5.3 TREE STATUS (1-CHARACTER) REQUIRED

5.4 TREE CLASS (2-CHARACTER)

5.5 GROWTH SAMPLE TREES (1-CHARACTER) REQUIRED FOR GST

5.6 TREE SPECIES (8-CHARACTER) REQUIRED

5.7 TREE COUNT (3-DIGIT) REQUIRED

5.8 NUMBER OF STEMS (3-DIGIT)

5.9 DBH/DRC (3,1-DIGIT; XXX.Y) REQUIRED

5.9.1 Diameter Measurement: DBH

5.9.2 Diameter Measurement: DRC

5.10 HEIGHT (3-DIGIT):

5.11 HEIGHT TO CROWN (3-DIGIT)

5.12 RADIAL GROWTH (2-DIGIT) REQUIRED FOR GST TREES

5.14 HEIGHT GROWTH (2,1-DIGIT) REQUIRED FOR GST TREES < 3.0 INCHES IN DIA

5.15 TREE AGE (4-DIGIT) REQUIRED FOR GST

5.15.1 Breast Height Age

5.15.2 Total Age

5.15.3 Estimating TREE AGE

5.16 CROWN RATIO (3-DIGIT) REQUIRED

5.17 CROWN CLASS (2-CHARACTER) REQUIRED

5.18 CROWN WIDTH (3-DIGIT)

5.19 WILDLIFE USE (2-CHARACTER)

5.20 SNAG DECAY CLASS (1-DIGIT) REQUIRED FOR DEAD TREES

5.22 TREE DAMAGE CATEGORY (2-DIGIT) REQUIRED

5.23 TREE DAMAGE AGENT (3-DIGIT) REQUIRED

5.24 TREE DAMAGE PART (2-CHARACTER)

5.25 TREE DAMAGE SEVERITY (2-DIGIT) REQUIRED

5.25.1 Physical Effects damage categories –

5.25.2 Board-foot and cubic-foot volume loss –

5.25.3 Database codes –

5.26 TREE REMARKS (30-CHARACTER)

5.27 TREE USER CODE (4-CHARACTER)

5.28 TREE TREATMENT OPTION (1-CHARACTER)

5.29 TREE DISTANCE (IM) (3-DIGIT) REQUIRED FOR IM

5.30 TREE AZIMUTH (IM) (3-DIGIT) REQUIRED FOR IM

SECTION 6: VEGETATION COMPOSITION AND GROUND SURFACE COVER

FORMS – ALL EXAM LEVELS

6.1 SETTING FORM EXAMINATION LEVEL OF VEGETATION COMPOSITION

6.1.1 Exam Level Descriptions:

6.2 EXAMINATION LEVEL OF THE GROUND SURFACE COVER FORM

6.3 INFORMATION ON THE VEGETATION COMPOSITION PLOT

6.3.1 Sampling Methods

6.3.2 Plot Location

6.3.3 Plot Size

6.3.4 Fixed Area Plot Shape

6.3.5 Training

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6.4 VEGETATION COMPOSITION – COVER BY LIFEFORM (FORM 1)

6.5 VEGETATION COMPOSITION – COVER BY SPECIES (FORM 3)

6.5.1 Species List (species above specified minimum cover %)

6.5.2 Designated Species on a List

Example – Cover by Species for Selection Method = FRQ, fixed radius plot

6.6 GROUND SURFACE COVER (FORM 4)

6.6.1 Fixed-Radius Plot Method

6.6.2 Line-intercept Method

6.6.3 Ground Surface Cover Type Codes and Category Definitions

6.6.4 Ground Surface Cover Percent

SECTION 7: DOWN-WOODY MATERIALS FORM – ALL EXAM LEVELS

7.A BROWN’S PROTOCOL (SAMPLE DESIGN AND TRANSECT LAYOUT, DWM EXAM LEVEL 2)

7.B BROWN’S PROTOCOL (SETTING FORM, ITEM 2.13, DWM EXAM LEVEL 2)

7.1 Plot Number (3-digit) Required

7.2 and 7.3 First Duff and Second Duff (2,1-digit; xx.y) Required

7.4 Fuel Depth (2,1-digit; xx)

7.5 1 Hour (0.01 to 0.24 inch) (3-digit) Required

7.6 10 Hour (0.25 to 0.99 inch) (3-digit) Required

7.7 100 Hour (1.00 to 2.99 inches) (3-digit) Required

7.8 Piece Count (3-digit) Required

7.9 Log Decay Class (1-character) Required

7.10 Diameter (3,1-digit; xxx.y) Required

7.11 Piece Length (3,1-digit; xxx.y)

7.12 Diameter Large End (3,1 digit; xxx.y)

7.13 Diameter Small End (3,1 digit; xxx.y)

7. C USING PHOTO SERIES TO COLLECT CUSTOM WEIGHT CLASSES (SETTING FORM DWM EXAM LEVEL 1, ITEM 2.13)

7.14 and 7.15 First Duff and Second Duff (2,1-digit; xx.y) Required

7.16 Fuelbed Depth (2,1-digit; xx.y)

7.17 Weight (5,1-digit; xxxxx.x) Required

7.18 Volume (8,1 digit)

SECTION 8: TREE DATA FORM – EXTENSIVE EXAM LEVEL

8.1 PLOT NUMBER (3-DIGIT) REQUIRED

8.2 TAG ID NUMBER (4-DIGIT) REQUIRED

8.3 TREE STATUS (1-CHARACTER) REQUIRED

8.6 TREE SPECIES (8-CHARACTER) REQUIRED

8.7 TREE COUNT (3-DIGIT) REQUIRED

8.9 DBH (3,1-DIGIT) REQUIRED

8.10 HEIGHT (3-DIGIT)

8.11 HEIGHT TO CROWN IF COLLECTED (3-DIGIT)

8.12 RADIAL GROWTH IF COLLECTED (2-DIGIT)

8.14 HEIGHT GROWTH IF COLLECTED (2,1-DIGIT)

8.15 TREE AGE IF COLLECTED (4-DIGIT)

8.16 CROWN RATIO (3-DIGIT) REQUIRED

8.17 CROWN CLASS (2-CHARACTER) REQUIRED

8.20 SNAG DECAY CLASS (1-DIGIT) REQUIRED FOR DEAD TREES

8.22 TREE DAMAGE CATEGORY (2-DIGIT) REQUIRED

5.25 TREE DAMAGE SEVERITY (2-DIGIT) REQUIRED

SECTION 9: SETTING FORM – QUICK PLOT EXAM LEVEL

9.13 EXAMINATION LEVEL (4-DIGIT) REQUIRED

9.14 EXAM PURPOSE (2-CHARACTER) REQUIRED

9.19 POTENTIAL VEGETATION (8-DIGIT) REQUIRED

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9.21 SETTING CAPABLE GROWING AREA (3-DIGIT) REQUIRED

9.24 SETTING ASPECT (3-DIGIT) REQUIRED

9.25 SETTING SLOPE (3-DIGIT) REQUIRED

9.29 PRECISION PROTOCOL (6-CHARACTER) REQUIRED

SECTION 10: TREE DATA FORM – QUICK PLOT EXAM LEVEL

10.1 PLOT NUMBER (3-DIGIT) REQUIRED

10.2 TAG ID NUMBER (4-DIGIT) REQUIRED

10.3 TREE STATUS (1-CHARACTER) REQUIRED

10.6 TREE SPECIES (8-CHARACTER) REQUIRED

10.7 TREE COUNT (3-DIGIT) REQUIRED

10.9 DBH (3,1-DIGIT) REQUIRED

10.10 HEIGHT (3-DIGIT)

10.16 CROWN RATIO (3-DIGIT) REQUIRED

10.20 SNAG DECAY CLASS (1-DIGIT) REQUIRED FOR DEAD TREES

SECTION 11: MODIFICATIONS TO FIELD GUIDE FOR 2019

SECTION 12: EXAMS SOFTWARE USE

12.1 EXECUTING EXAMS SOFTWARE

12.2 EDITING A TEMPLATE “.CSE” OR “.IM” FILE

12.2.1 Editing Species Codes in a Template

12.2.3 Changing Field Selections Available in a Template

Plot Data Field Selection:

12.2.5 Planned Plot Calculator:

12.2.5 Tree Audit Check Form

12.2.6 Growth Sample Tree (GST) Guidelines

12.3 ENTERING/EDITING DATA

12.3.1 Entering/Editing Setting Data

12.3.2 Entering/Editing Sample Design Data

12.3.3 Entering/Editing Plot Data

12.3.4 Entering/Editing Tree Data

12.3.5 Entering/Editing Vegetation Composition and Ground Surface Cover Data

12.3.6 Entering/Editing Down-Woody Materials Data

12.3.7 Backloading Data from FSVeg into ExamsPC (IM)

LITERATURE CITED

INDEX 143

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CSE/IM Field Guide Appendices:

A Administrative and Proclaimed National Forest Codes B District Codes C State Codes D County Codes E Existing Vegetation Composition References and Codes F Potential Vegetation References G Potential Vegetation Codes H List of Species I Fuel Photo References and Codes J Fixed-Radius Plot K Variable-Radius Plot L Measuring Diameter M Point of Diameter Measurement N Radial Growth and Height Growth O Measuring Age P Measuring Height Q Measuring Crowns R Damage Categories, Agents, Severity Ratings, and Tree Parts S Down-Woody Materials T Tolerances for Region 1 Common Stand Exam/Inventory and Monitoring U Fuel Model V Glossary of Terms

Region 1 CSE/IM Field Guide Supplemental Appendices:

R1 – A Deriving Statistical Accuracy for Stand Exam Design (This section has been moved to the R1 SUPPLEMENT TO NATIONAL FSVEG/CSE USER’S GUIDE Chapter 2: Preparation and Design.)

R1 – B Region 1 Sample Designs R1 – C Juniper Allegro R1 – D Supplemental Data Collection Forms R1 – E Measuring Tree Canopy Cover R1 – F Protocols for Taking Plot Photos R1 – G Plot Establishment (IM) R1 – H Fire Information/Weather Observation Form (IM) R1 – I Lynx Horizontal Cover Protocol

Region 1 Damage Descriptions

R1 Field Guide – CSE/IM Data Collection Procedures Section 1

Section 1: Data Collection Procedures

This document outlines attributes and data collection protocols for Common Stand Exams (CSE) and Inventory and Monitoring (IM), hereafter referred to as the R1 CSE/IM Field Guide.

In general, this document focuses on Common Stand Exams because stand exams are the most common protocols used for data collection, by a Forest. See R1 Supplement to National FSVeg/CSE User’s Guide Chapter 2: Preparation and Design for an overview of the steps to follow to prepare for, implement, clean, and load stand exam data.

Common Stand Exams generally are conducted on stands, a contiguous group of trees sufficiently uniform in size class distribution, composition, and structure, and growing on a site of sufficiently uniform quality, to be a distinguishable unit, such as mixed, pure, even-aged, and uneven-aged stands. A stand is the fundamental unit of silviculture reporting and record-keeping (FSM 2470.5). The polygon associated with the exam is delineated and maintained in FSVeg Spatial. It is expected that FSVeg Spatial stand delineations are reviewed and updated to represent the area over which the plots were selected and sampled, if needed, prior to data collection. Exams conducted on polygons that are not delineated stands in FSVeg Spatial need to be clearly identified as such by using a “P” in the location field (see Item 2.5, Setting Form) which results in a setting id that does not follow the standard stand naming convention used in R1. Contact the R1 field protocols specialist if further information or guidance is needed.

If information needs dictate that attributes will be remeasured over time, then the IM protocols and associated Exams software are used. These protocols allow additional attributes to be collected which assist with relocating plots and trees from measurement to measurement. It is critical for Forests considering implementing an inventory and subsequent monitoring project using IM protocols to contact the R1 Analysis Team with sufficient time for the Analysis Team to help with project design, protocols, and subsequent data analysis. Inventory plots remeasured over time require significant investment and good to ensure high quality data for analysis.

Protocols particular to IM are followed by (IM) in this manual and in the R1 CSE/IM Field Guide Supplemental Appendices. See the following table to find detailed information on IM specific attributes, Exams forms, templates and protocols.

IM Specific Information

Location of Documentation

Activating the .im option in Exams

12.2.2 Inventory and Monitoring Option in ExamsPC (IM)

Tree azimuth and Tree distance

5.29 and 5.30 under Tree Data

Witness Tree/Plot Navigation Form

R1 CSE/IM Field Guide Supplemental Appendix G

Fire Information Observation Form

R1 CSE/IM Field Guide Supplemental Appendix H

IM Field Forms R1 CSE/IM Field Guide Supplemental Appendix D

Customizable IM Field Protocols (Intensified Grid, FIA Midcycle Remeasure, etc.)

Contact R1 Analysis Team http://fsweb.r1.fs.fed.us/forest/inv/cse_exams/cse_template.shtml

IM Exams Templates (Intensified Grid, FIA Midcycle Remeasure, etc.)

Contact R1 Analysis Team

As discussed in Section 1.2, there are three examination levels, Intensive Exam, Extensive Exam, and Quick Plot Exam. Data collection requirements and accuracy standards vary depending on examination level. The allowable range of measurement or classification error is termed the “tolerance”. Data item tolerance limits are indicated throughout this manual and in the R1 CSE/IM Field Guide Appendix T. The Exam Level indicates the minimum attributes collected. Information needs may dictate adding additional attributes, especially to the tree form.

1.1 Region 1 Required Fields

The following fields are “required” in Region 1 regardless of examination level.

Note: Depending on the purpose for a specific exam, the examination level may vary for different forms, or some forms may not be collected.

Form

CSE

Attrib # (Exams

PDR

Sheet #)

Setting Form Required Fields

Setting 2.1(1) Project Name

2.2(1) Proclaimed Region

2.3(1) Proclaimed Forest Number

2.4(1) District

2.5(1) Location (compartment / subcompartment)

2.6(1) Stand Number

2.11(2) Date

2.12(2) Examination Level

2.14(2) Exam Purpose

2.18(2) Potential Vegetation Reference

2.19(2) Potential Vegetation (Habitat Type)

2.21(3) Setting Capable Growing Area

2.23(3) Setting Elevation http://fsweb.r1.fs.fed.us/forest/inv/cse_exams/cse_template.shtml

Form

CSE

Attrib # (Exams

PDR

Sheet #)

Setting Form Required Fields

2.24(3) Setting Aspect

2.25(3) Setting Slope

2.27(3) Acres

2.35(4) Datum (Lat/Long)

2.28(4) Examiner

2.29(4) Precision Protocol

The following table shows the minimum requirements for each CSE/IM Form and where additional information on each Forms can be found.

Form Required fields Reference within

Sample Design

Sample design specified according to exam objectives

• Section 3: Sample Design Form - All Exam Levels

• 12.3.2 Entering/Editing Sample Design Data

• Region 1 Sample Design examples, R1 Supplementary Appendices, Section B

Plot

Plot Number

Section 4: Plot Data Form – All Exam Levels

Plot Aspect

Plot Slope

Plot Latitude

Plot Longitude

Plot Potential Vegetation

Veg Comp Optional- Exam level indicates what is required, based on exam objectives

Section 6: Vegetation Composition and Ground Surface Cover Forms – All Exam Levels Ground

Surface Optional dependent upon exam objectives

Down-woody materials

Optional form; minimum attributes to collect to meet Brown’s Protocols to calculate fuel loadings are listed below.

Section 7: Down-Woody Materials Form – All Exam Levels

First Duff

Form Required fields Reference within

Second Duff

1-hour (.01 - .24 inch)

10-hour (.25 - .99 inch)

100-hour (1.0 – 2.9 inch)

Piece Count (3.0+ inch diameter)

Log Decay Class (3.0+ inch diameter)

Diameter (3.0+ inch diameter)

1.2 Exam Levels for the Tree Form

There are three examination levels: (3) Intensive Exam, (2) Extensive Exam, and (1) Quick Plot Exam. The Intensive Exam has the tightest tolerance standards, data collection requirements, and required accuracy. The Extensive Exam has less collection requirements and accuracy. Measurement tolerances, data collection requirements, and required accuracy for the Quick Plot Exam are relaxed to allow for rapid inventory procedure.

Data needs determine the examination level required. When data needs can be minimized and/or when data estimations and/or attribute groupings can provide acceptable levels of information, the Extensive Exam and Quick Plot Exam offer the greatest opportunity for cost savings. A major cost component for any exam is travel time and locating the stand and/or plots; therefore, it may be worthwhile to increase the exam intensity level so that a reliable, full characterization of the stand may be made now and in future analysis. In addition, if non-required fields are collected to supplement an Extensive Exam or Quick Plot Exam, the cost savings may be reduced to the point that there is little significant cost difference compared to an Intensive Exam. See the Setting Form, Item 2.13, for a list of the minimum attributes to collect by Exam Level of the Tree Form.

The reliability of an estimate is determined by how homogeneous the setting is and the number of plots that are measured. For a detailed discussion on determining the number of plots to install in order to meet the exams information needs, see R1 CSE/IM Field Guide Supplemental Appendix R1-A.

1.2.1 Intensive Tree Exam

An Intensive Exam is designed to have accurate tree measurements collected to tight tolerance standards. It provides a comprehensive inventory for stands. Trees on the large tree plot are recorded individually. Trees on the small plot may be recorded in groups, with the exception of growth sample trees. Diameters of live trees are measured to the nearest 0.1 inch. Tree heights are measured to the nearest foot. Growth sample trees (GST) are used to objectively select trees for additional measurements that are expensive to collect, such as radial or height growth, ages and heights. These measurements allow for relationships to be made base on the GST trees, so non-GST trees can have those attributes “dubbed in” during the compilation process. This provides a complete data set to meet reporting needs.

Barring any disturbances, this type of exam has the longest “shelf life” in FSVeg and is the best type of data to input into the Forest Vegetation Simulator (FVS). Intensive exams should have enough plots installed to provide an estimate that has a sampling error of 20% or less at the 90% confidence level for the primary attribute of interest (see 2.14, Exam Purpose).

Exam Purpose (SE or CI): When taking any level of examination that includes the Tree Data Form, and the EXAM PURPOSE (Item 2.14) is code “SE” or “CI” (Stand Exam or Stratified Random Sample / Compartment Inventory), all size classes of trees found in the stand must be sampled.

1.2.2 Extensive Tree Exam

An Extensive Exam is designed to have accurate tree measurements collected to tolerance standards tighter than a Quick Plot Exam, but not as tight as an Intensive Exam. Trees above 3.0-inches in diameter are recorded individually. Trees on the small tree plot may be recorded in groups. Some tree defect information is collected. No growth or age measurements are required. This limits the ability to assess old growth, to develop age class tables, and to calibrate growth functions in FVS. Extensive exams should have enough plots to provide an estimate for the primary attribute of interest (see 2.14, Exam Purpose), that has a sampling error of 20% or less at the 80% confidence level.

1.2.3 Quick Plot Tree Exam

The Quick Plot Exam is a rapid inventory procedure. Data needs determine the design of the Quick Plot Exam. Tree data may be grouped by species, diameters, heights, and/or damage classes on both the large and small plots. At a minimum, the Quick Plot Exam provides a statistically describable estimate of stocking by certain critical tree categories. Examinations may be custom designed in order to satisfy specific stand data needs for prescription development or for use as supplemental cruise plots. The selection of the Quick Plot Exam must be made on the basis of the type of stand to be evaluated and associated decisions that must be made. Quick plot exams should provide an estimate for the primary attribute of interest (see 2.14, Exam Purpose), that has a sampling error of 20% or less at the 68% confidence level.

1.3 Appendices

The CSE/IM appendices are the same as the National FSVeg/CSE User’s Guide appendices except:

• They only contain information pertinent to Region 1 procedures.

The Region 1 CSE/IM Supplemental Appendices have additional information/specifications for data collection in Region 1 that are not documented in the national appendices.

R1 Field Guide – CSE/IM Setting Form – Intensive/Extensive Section 2

Section 2: Setting Form - Intensive / Extensive Exam Levels The combination of Region, Proclaimed Forest, District, Location, Stand, Purpose Code, and Measurement Date fields uniquely identifies an exam associated with a setting.

The tolerance limits listed for items in this section are for the Intensive and Extensive examination levels. Attributes that don’t have a tolerance specified in this section should be defined at the project level, in the protocol or contract, based on project specifications. See Appendix T, Tolerances for Region 1 Common Stand Exam/Inventory and Monitoring, for a table of tolerances by form and attribute.

The examination level indicated on the Tree Data Form determines the examination level of the Setting Form.

2.1 Project Name (25-character) Required

Record the project name. Multiple settings may have the same project name. Special characters and periods (“.”) are not valid in project names and will cause the following pop-up error in FSVeg when trying to view the data.

❖ Tolerance (Project Name): No Errors

2.2 Proclaimed Region (2-digit) Required

Record “1” for Region 1.

❖ Tolerance (Proclaimed Region): No Errors

2.3 Proclaimed National Forest (2-digit) Required

Proclaimed Forest is the forest code that FSVeg currently has populated in the Proclaimed Forest field. Is used in the creation of the Setting Id in FSVeg and is part of linkage between exam data in FSVeg and the stand delineation in FSVeg Spatial.

The following Proclaimed* National Forest Codes are used in R1:

Forest # Forest Name Forest # Forest Name

02* Beaverhead-Deerlodge 11 Gallatin

03 Bitterroot 12 Helena

04* Idaho Panhandle 14* Kootenai

05 Clearwater 15 Lewis & Clark

08 Custer 16 Lolo

10 Flathead 17 Nez Perce

*Prior to migration to FSVeg, R1 used TSMRS and R1 Edit to manage stand information. Those databases did not discern between Administrative and Proclaimed Forest. Therefore, when migrating to FSVeg and FSVeg Spatial, both Administrative and Proclaimed National Forest were populated with the Forest number being used in 2000. So, Proclaimed Forest is not necessarily the congressionally mandated Forest number but the Forest number that is in FSVeg and FSVeg Spatial in the Proclaimed Forest field and was used by the Region in 2000, the date of data migration from the legacy database.

❖ Tolerance (Proclaimed National Forest): No Errors

In order to check the Proclaimed Forest associated with a stand in FSVeg Spatial, run the R01 Extract Vegetation Polygons record set writer in the Geospatial Interface. For more information see Geospatial Interface Content: FSVeg and FSVeg Spatial.

2.4 District (2-digit) Required

Record the 2-digit District code associated with the District. These District numbers should not be updated over time due to forest consolidation. They are the District numbers that were used when the Forest stand layer was migrated to FSVeg Spatial in 2010 based on the TSMRS District codes used in 2005. Refer to R1 CSE/IM Field Guide Appendix B for a list of District Codes.

❖ Tolerance (District): No Errors

In order to check the District associated with a stand in FSVeg Spatial, run the R01 Extract Vegetation Polygons record set writer in the Geospatial Interface, for more information see Geospatial Interface Content: FSVeg and FSVeg Spatial.

2.5 Location (16-character) Required

Record the Location (Compartment/Subcompartment) associated with the Proclaimed National Forest. These Location codes should not be updated, over time, due to forest consolidation. They are the Location codes that were used when the forest stand layer was migrated to FSVeg Spatial in 2010 based on the TSMRS District codes used in 2005.

In order to check the District, associated with a stand in FSVeg Spatial, run the R01 Extract Vegetation Polygons record set writer in the Geospatial Interface, for more information see Geospatial Interface Content: FSVeg and FSVeg Spatial.

In Region 1, Common Stand Exams are generally conducted on stands (see Section 1) whose associated polygon is delineated and managed in FSVeg Spatial. These exams should have a 4-character LOCATION code comprised of a 2-digit “compartment” code plus a 2-digit “subcompartment” code. This will yield a Setting ID in FSVeg of RR//FF//DD//CC//SS//TTTT (R=region, F= proclaimed forest, D=district, C=compartment, S=subcompartment, T=stand) and it will be named consistent with the stand polygons in FSVeg Spatial.

Exams conducted on polygons that are not coincident with delineated stands in FSVeg Spatial (see Section 1) need to be clearly identified as such by using a capitol “P” in the location field following the 2-digit “compartment” code and 2-digit “subcompartment” code. This will yield a setting id in FSVeg of RR//FF//DD//CC//SSP//TTTT.

❖ Tolerance (Location): No Errors

2.6 Stand Number (4-digit) Required

Record the stand number consistent with the current FSVeg Spatial stand number or a number associated with the polygon if a “P” is used in the location field.

In order to check a Stand Number, associated with a stand in FSVeg Spatial, run the R01 Extract Vegetation Polygons record set writer in the Geospatial Interface, for more information see Geospatial Interface Content: FSVeg and FSVeg Spatial.

❖ Tolerance (Stand Number): No Errors

2.7 Owner (4-character)

Record “USFS” for the Forest Service.

❖ Tolerance (Owner): No Errors

2.8 State (2-character)

Record the STATE code identifying where the setting area is located. Settings that cross state boundaries must be subdivided.

Code Description

ID Idaho SD South Dakota

MT Montana WA Washington

ND North Dakota

❖ Tolerance (State): No Errors

2.9 County (3-digit)

For Region 1, record the 2-digit COUNTY code identifying where the setting area is located. Refer to R1 CSE/IM Field Guide Appendix D for a list of County Codes.

❖ Tolerance (County): No Errors

2.10 Administrative Forest (2-digit)

This field is used to record the Administrative Forest code. This code has been updated in response to forest consolidation for both the Nez Perce-Clearwater, the Custer- Gallatin, and the Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forests.

Administrative Forest Codes in R1 are as follows:

Forest # Forest Name Forest # Forest Name

02 Beaverhead-Deerlodge 14 Kootenai

03 Bitterroot 15 Helena-Lewis & Clark

04 Idaho Panhandle 16 Lolo

10 Flathead 17 Nez Perce-Clearwater

11 Custer-Gallatin

❖ Tolerance (Administrative Forest): No Errors

2.11 Date (8-digit) Required

Record the calendar month, day, and year that the stand examination is completed, using the following format: MMDDYYYY.

❖ Tolerance (Date): No Errors

2.13 Examination Level (4-digit) Required

Record the examination level that identifies the scope and range of information being collected. Scope is the breadth of information collected and range is the accuracy of information collected.

The examination level may vary for different forms. The examination level indicated on the Tree Data Form determines the examination level of the Setting and Plot Data forms, but it does not necessarily indicate the examination level that is selected for the Vegetation Composition Form. See Section 1.2 for additional information on Exam Level.

❖ Tolerance (Examination Level): No Errors

2.13.1 Tree Data Examination Level

For the Tree Data Form, enter one of the following codes to indicate the examination level. Listed are required fields for the Tree Data Form by Exam Level. You may add additional attributes but the Exam Level indicates the minimum attributes that are required.

Exam Level

Attribute

(Quick Plot)

(Extensive Plot)

(Intensive Plot)

Plot Number X X X

Attribute

(Quick Plot)

(Extensive Plot)

(Intensive Plot)

Tag Number X X X

Tree Status X X X

Tree Class

GST Tree X

Tree Species X X X

Tree Count X X X

Number of Stems N/A N/A N/A

DBH

Trees ≥ 4.5 ft tall

Trees ≥ 4.5 ft tall

Trees ≥ 4.5 ft tall

Height Trees < 4.5 ft tall

Trees < 4.5 ft tall

GST,

trees < 4.5 ft tall, trees with broken tops

Height to Crown

Radial Growth GST only

Radial Growth 2 N/A N/A N/A

Height Growth GST only

Tree Age GST only

Crown Ratio X X X

Crown Class X X

Crown Width

Wildlife Use

Cone Serotiny

Tree Damage Category

X X

Tree Damage Agent

X

Tree Damage Part

Tree Damage Severity

X X

Snag Decay Class X X X

Remarks

Tree User Code

Tree Treatment Option

Azimuth of Tree

(IM)

Horizontal Distance (IM)

2.13.2 Vegetation Composition Examination Level

For the Vegetation Composition Form, enter one of the following codes to indicate the examination level. The exam level determines the type of vegetation composition that will be collected.

Veg.

Exam Level Code

Items to record Subpop Min. *

Subpop Max.

Cover by Lifeform (Form 1)

Cover by Species and Layer (Form 2)**

Cover by Species (Form 3)

0 Vegetation Composition is not collected, form is not used

• Lifeform Cover

• Layer (tree/shrub)

Not applicable Required Not Applicable Not Applicable

• Lifeform Cover

• Layer (tree/shrub)

• Cover recorded for designated species (≥ min. %)*

User defined

100 Required

• Optional, not generally used in R1

• “Designated” species that meet minimum cover criteria

“Designated” species that meet minimum cover criteria (subpop min)

• Lifeform Cover

• Layer (tree/shrub)

• Cover recorded for all species (≥ min. %)*

User defined

100 Required

• Optional, not generally used in R1

• All species that meet minimum cover criteria

*All species that meet minimum cover criteria (subpop min)

• Lifeform Cover

• Layer (tree/shrub)

• Cover recorded for all species (≥ min. %)*

• Designated Species

User defined

100 Required

• Optional, not generally used in R1

• All species that meet minimum cover criteria (subpop min)

• Presence of all “designated” species

• All species that meet minimum cover criteria designated in subpop min*

• Presence of all “designated species”

* Subpopulation minimum values are determined by the user based on information needs of the exam ** For Vegetation Composition Exam Level of 2, 3, or 4; Form 2 or Form 3 must be collected. In R1, Form 2, Cover by Species and Layer is rarely used.

2.13.3 Down Woody Material Examination Level

For the Down-Woody Materials Form, enter one of the following codes to indicate the Examination Level.

Down-Woody Materials

Code

Description

Brown’s Protocol Collected according to Brown’s Protocols. See DWM protocols in Section 7.

• All components of Brown’s are collected

• Sample Design Selection Method = ‘TRN’

• Reports compute tons per acre

• Data is available in FVS input files and in R1 Stand Exam Summary Database

Piece Count option, collected on a transect

• A subset of the DWM components are collected along a transect. Generally Forests will only collect information on down-woody material above a certain diameter threshold.

• Sample Design Selection Method = ‘TRN’

• Tons per acre calculated for components collected

• Data is available in FVS input files and in R1 Stand Exam Summary Database but does not represent the fuel loading of the stand

Piece Count option, collected on fixed-radius plot Contact Field Protocol Specialist if you are considering using this method.

• Sample Design Selection Method = ‘FRQ’

• Down-woody material is collected on Fixed radius plot

• Tons per acre not calculated and data is not available in FVS

• Note: this method is not supported in R1. If you feel that piece count is important, collect according to Exam Level 2 and collect Large-end Diameter (Item 7.12). This will allow for pieces per acre to be calculated.

Down-Woody Materials

Code

Description

Photo Series Collect custom weight classes by down-wood diameter classes.

Note: This Exam Level is used when fuel loadings in a setting are not accurately represented by a single photo within in the photo series guide, ie various DWM size classes are associated with tons per acre taken from more than one photo. This method allows use of size class specific fuel loadings values from multiple photos within a fuel photo series guide.

This information is not translated into FVS or the R1 Stand Exam Summary Database.

See protocols in Down-Woody Material, Section 7, for detailed information.

• Collected using photo series guides, but recording tons per acre by fuels classes from different photos within the guide.

• Do Not use this Exam Level if assigning each plot to a specific photo, use the Residue Description Code on the Plot Form

• Do Not record values in the Residue Description Code in the Plot Form.

*If each plot is being assigned to a single photo, do not use this option. Set the down-woody material Exam Level to 0 and input phot information into Residue Description Code collected on the Plot Form (Item 4.13). See DWM Exam Level 0, below.

Not Collected or Not Collected on the Down-Woody Materials Form

• No fuel data is collected or

• Fuel Photo Series is collected in Residue Description Code on Plot Form (Item 4.13). This is used when assigning each plot to a single photo (data sheet). Make sure that Residue Description Code is a selected field in Plot Field Selections. Record Fuel Photo Reference on the Setting Form (2.33 Fuel Photo Reference (3-digit)). Data is available in FVS input database.

2.13.3 Ground Surface Cover Examination Level

The Ground Surface Cover Form (Form 4 of the Vegetation Composition|Ground Surface Cover Data) is accessible through the Vegetation Composition Form. The Exam Levels for the Ground Surface Cover Form are defined in the table below.

Ground Surface Cover

Code

Description

1 Surface Cover is collected.

0 Not Collected

2.14 Exam Purpose (2-character) Required

There are seven EXAM PURPOSE codes that are currently used in Region 1 associated with data collection: SE, CI, FI, RP, IM, LI or RE (codes described below).

The Exam Purpose codes identify the following aspects related to the sampling design and/or analysis capabilities of the data collected:

• Sample Accuracy (BA/TPA) – the reliability of the exam in estimating basal area, trees per acre, or the vegetation attribute of interest

• Sample Intensity (Tree) – the extent to which sample trees, representative of the entire population of size classes found in a stand/setting, have been included in the overall sample design.

• Sample Selection – the method used to select stands for measurement

• Sample Type – whether the exam is an intensification of the FIA grid or a polygon-based stand exam

Exam Purpose Codes

Name Description

SE Stand Exam General statistically valid stand exam

CI

Stratified Random Sample (Compartment Inventory)

Stands are selected for examination based on probability of selection proportional to size of stand

RP All other exams

Exams do not meet sample accuracy standards, or do not sample all trees in the stand, or the plots were not systematically sampled.

FI

FIA Midcycle Remeasure, R1 Intensified Grid

Work with R1 Analysis team if you plan to use this purpose code.

IM Inventory and Monitoring Plots are monumented and will be remeasured over time.

RE Stocking Surveys Used with R1 Stocking Survey Protocol.

LI Lidar training data Training data for lidar acquisition only.

See R1 Analysis Team if you plan to use this purpose code.

2.14.1 Exam Purpose Guidelines:

Use the guidelines and definitions listed below to determine which EXAM PURPOSE to select. Record the code that identifies the purpose selected.

1. Stand Exam (SE), or Stratified Random Sample (CI). A stand exam’s purpose is to collect reliable information on vegetation attributes.

Oftentimes, the primary attributes of interest are tree related, but not always.

An exam purpose of SE or CI must first meet criteria a, b, and c to ensure reliable information:

a. Sample Accuracy (BA/TPA) – A 20% Sampling Error at the:

• 90% Confidence Level was achieved for Intensive Exams (Tree data, Exam Level 3)

• 80% Confidence Level was achieved for Extensive Exams (Tree data, Exam Level 2)

• 68% Confidence level was achieved for Quick Plot Exams (Tree data, Exam Level 1)

• Common attributes of interest for accuracy levels include:

▪ Basal Area per acre (BA),

▪ Trees per acre (TPA) – trees per acre calculated on trees above breakpoint diameter (if the quadratic mean diameter is greater than breakpoint diameter), OR trees per acre based on the trees below breakpoint diameter (if the quadratic mean diameter is less than breakpoint diameter)

▪ Or the vegetation attributes of interest to meet information needs for the exam. For example, an old growth exam may have sample accuracy based on the trees per acre that are 9” dbh and larger.

The number of plots installed in the stand is related to the accuracy of the exam. It is understood that a 20% error may not always be achieved. However, an R1 FSVeg report will be provided which reports the error, at various confidence levels, for various attributes of interest. See the R1 Supplement to National FSVeg/CSE User’s Guide Chapter 2: Preparation and Design for additional information).

b. Sample Selection (Tree) – All live trees ≥ 1 foot tall, and all dead trees ≥ 3 inches diameter, are measured or tallied.

c. Plot Selection – The plots were systematically sampled with a random start or randomly located throughout the stand.

If all of the criteria listed above are true then use either:

SE - Stand Exam, to indicate that stand selection for sampling was dictated by local data needs.

CI – Stratified Random Sample (Compartment Inventory), to indicate that stand selection for sampling was based on random selection of stand polygons with probability proportion to size (acres) in the context of stratified random sampling or compartment inventory design. Forests that are using a stratified random sample which randomly selects stands should be working with the R1 Vegetation Analysis Team to ensure that data is collected and warehoused appropriately so it will be available for analysis.

2. Other Exam Purposes (RP). If any of the previous criteria are NOT met (e.g., an ocular macroplot is being collected, only down-woody fuel information is recorded, only snag information is collected, biased plot location), then the exam purpose code of RP – must be used.

3. Inventory and Monitoring (IM). This code is to be used for inventory and monitoring purposes where plots will be revisited and remeasured over time.

It is expected that Regional Protocols for installation and measuring over time will be followed. Work with the R1 Analysis Team when setting up this sampling scheme to ensure that trend data over time is available to meet monitoring needs.

4. Stocking Surveys (RE). This code is to be used with R1 stocking survey protocols, Common Stand Exam Protocols for Stocking Surveys.

5. Forest Inventory (FI). An exam purpose of FI indicates that the exam is a grid-based exam following protocols defined in the Region 1 Intensified Grid Field Procedures Using Inventory and Monitoring Protocols manual. This code indicates that data are not for base-level stand exam analysis, but are a spatially balanced sample of plots across a larger geographic area of interest. This code is also used for R1 projects that measure FIA grid plots between FIA measurements, such as measuring FIA grid plots after wildfire events and/or insect outbreaks. Contact the R1 Analysis Team to set-up sampling methods and protocols for these inventories.

6. Lidar (LI). This cold is used when collecting training data associated with

Lidar acquisition. Work with the R1 Analysis Team prior to using this Purpose Code to ensure that training data can be tied to Lidar data during analysis.

❖ Tolerance (Exam Purpose): No Errors

2.15 Stratum (6-character)

Record the current STRATUM for the setting area. Refer to aerial photo typing or other stratification information associated with the polygon. Forest direction dictates the list of strata definitions and codes used.

2.16 Existing Vegetation Reference (3-character) Generally not used in R1 Record the code identifying the reference used to obtain the dominant EXISTING VEGETATION COMPOSITION TYPE (Item 2.17) for the setting area. Refer to the R1 CSE/IM Field Guide Appendix E for a complete list of valid reference codes.

❖ Tolerance (Existing Vegetation Reference): No Errors

2.17 Existing Vegetation Composition Type (3-character) Generally not used in R1 Record the code for the current (not potential) vegetative or non-vegetative type dominating the setting area. Dominance is based on plurality of basal area. Refer to the R1 CSE/IM Field Guide Appendix E for a complete list of EXISTING VEGETATION COMPOSITION TYPE codes. Dominance type as per R1 Existing Vegetation Classification System (Barber and others, 2011), are calculated on all exam data loaded into FSVeg so collecting this attribute may not be needed.

2.18 Potential Vegetation Reference (3-character) Required

Record the code identifying the reference used to obtain the POTENTIAL VEGETATION (habitat type) for the setting area; refer to Item 2.19. Only one POTENTIAL VEGETATION REFERENCE code may be selected per examination.

Note: POTENTIAL VEGETATION REFERENCE 111 is used in stands that have potential vegetation codes from both Forest Habitat Types of Montana (Pfister, et al., 1977) and Forest Habitat Types of Northern Idaho: A Second Approximation (Cooper, et al., 1991).

Refer to the R1 CSE/IM Field Guide Appendix F for a list of potential vegetation references used in Region One and a list of what forest each reference can be used on.

This appendix includes non-forest references primarily used for special projects and intensified grid exams. If you are conducting timber based stand exams, you will likely be using 101, or 110.

❖ Tolerance (Potential Vegetation Reference): No Errors

2.19 Potential Vegetation (8-digit) Required

Record the code for the predominant POTENTIAL VEGETATION (habitat type) to phase for the setting area. Potential vegetation is the community that develops over time, primarily influenced by soil and climate. It represents the area in a climax or near-climax condition. POTENTIAL VEGETATION for the setting area is determined by the predominant POTENTIAL VEGETATION found in the stand. Refer to R1 CSE/IM Field Guide Appendix G for a complete list of POTENTIAL VEGETATION codes.

❖ Tolerance (Plot Potential Vegetation): Accurate to R1 Habitat Type Group. See

Table 2 in R1 Forested Potential Vegetation Group Crosswalk, Region 1 Existing and Potential Vegetation Groupings used for Broad-level Analysis and Monitoring (Milburn et al. 2015) unless specified otherwise for the project.

2.20 Structure (2-character)

Record one of the following codes that best describes the overall structure of the setting. STRUCTURE describes the distribution of tree-size classes within the stand.

Note: Vertical structure is calculated as per R1 Existing Vegetation Classification System (Barber and others, 2011) for all inventory data so this attribute does not need to be recorded on all exam data loaded into FSVeg. Collecting this attribute may not be needed.

SS

Single story - A single even canopy characterizes the setting. The greatest number of trees are in a height class (or diameter class) represented by the average height class (or diameter class) of the setting; there are substantially fewer trees in height/diameter classes above and below this mean.

TS

Two-storied - Two relatively even canopy levels can be recognized in the setting. The frequency distribution of trees by height class (or diameter class) tends to be bimodal. Understory or overtopped trees are common. Neither canopy level is necessarily continuous or closed, but both canopy levels tend to be distributed across a predominance of the setting (e.g., overstory with regenerated understory).

MS

Multi-storied - At least three height-size classes are commonly represented in the setting. In general, the canopy is broken and uneven although multiple canopy levels may be distinguishable. The various size classes tend to be uniformly distributed throughout the setting.

MO

Mosaic - At least two distinct height size classes are represented; these classes are not uniformly distributed, but are grouped in small repeating aggregations, or occur as stringers less than two chains wide, throughout the setting. Each size class aggregation is too small to be recognized and mapped as an individual setting.

UA

Unknown/un-assessable - A structure classification was attempted, but the stand did not fit into one of the pre-defined categories. Note in the remarks column the reason the stand could not be classified.

2.21 Setting Capable Growing Area (3-digit) Required

Estimate the percent of the setting area capable of supporting trees. Make deductions for areas such as roads, creeks, swamps, rock outcrops, etc. For example, if an area contains 5% rock outcropping and 10% road, record 85% for SETTING CAPABLE

GROWING AREA.

❖ Tolerance (Setting Capable Growing Area): ± 10 percent

2.22 Setting Fuel Model (2-digit)

Record the predominant fuel model for the setting determined by the predominant Fuel Model in the stand, refer to PLOT FUEL MODEL (Item 4.12). See the R1 CSE/IM Field Guide Appendix U for Fuel Model codes. It is highly recommended that individuals collecting this data first obtain the appropriate training.

Note: If FUEL MODEL data are the only fuels related information collected (e.g., it is collected instead of Brown’s Protocols), record “0” for EXAMINATION LEVEL (Item 2.13) on the Down-Woody Materials Form.

This information is translated into FVS if collected.

2.23 Setting Elevation (5-digit) Required

Record the predominant setting elevation, to the nearest foot.

❖ Tolerance (Setting Elevation): ± 100 feet

2.24 Setting Aspect (3-digit) Required

Record the average or predominant aspect for the setting area (to the nearest degree, 0° to 360°). Setting aspect is the general direction toward which the setting faces.

Setting aspect may be determined from contour maps or by taking compass readings directly down slope at various places within the setting.

SETTING ASPECT coding guidelines:

• If aspect changes gradually across the setting, record an average aspect.

• If aspect changes across the setting, but is predominately of one direction, code predominate direction, rather than the average.

• If the setting falls on or straddles a canyon bottom or narrow ridge top, code the aspect of the ridgeline or canyon bottom.

• If the setting falls on a canyon bottom or on a narrow ridge top, but most of the area lies on one side hill, code the aspect of the side hill.

Examples:

Aspect Code Description

0 Flat

183 183°

360 360°

999 Indeterminate/No predominant aspect/Undulating

❖ Tolerance (Setting Aspect): ± 45 degrees

2.25 Setting Slope (3-digit) Required

Record the average or predominant slope for the setting area (to the nearest 1 percent).

SETTING SLOPE coding guidelines:

• If slope changes gradually across the setting, record an average slope.

• If slope changes across the setting, but the slope is predominately of one direction, code the predominant slope percentage rather than the average.

• If the setting falls directly between two side hills, code the average slope of the side hill(s).

• If the setting falls on a canyon bottom or on a narrow ridge top, but most of the area lies on one side hill, code the slope of the side hill.

❖ Tolerance (Setting Slope): ± 10 percent

2.26 Setting Slope Position (2-character)

Record the position of the setting on the landscape as defined below. Slope position definitions from: National Soil Survey Handbook (Title 430-VI). 1993. USDA Soil Conservation Service.

SU

Summit/Ridgetop/Plateau. The topographically highest hillslope position of a hillslope profile and exhibiting a nearly level surface.

SH

Shoulder. The hillslope position that forms the uppermost inclined surface near the top of a hillslope. It comprises the transition zone from backslope to summit.

BS

Backslope. The hillslope position that forms the steepest inclined surface and principle element of many hillslopes. In profile, backslopes are commonly steep, linear, and bounded by a convex shoulder above and descending to concave footslope. They may or may not include cliff segments. Backslopes are commonly erosional forms produced by mass movement and running water.

FS

Footslope. The hillslope position that forms the inner, gently inclined surface at the base of a hillslope. In profile, footslopes are commonly concave. It is a transition zone between upslope sites of erosion and transport.

TS

Toeslope. The hillslope position that forms the gently inclined surface at the base of a hillslope.